INFLAMMABLE FLANNELETTE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10000, 22 March 1910, Page 4

INFLAMMABLE FLANNELETTE.

That abominable material, flannelette, has apparently been largely, if not entirely, responsible for another infantile death. We refer to the little'girl who, at Carterton, lost her life on Saturday last in ti.e painful circumstances recorded els - where. If such a case were of an isolated character there would not have, been much occasion for the. jury'B rider, but, unfortunately, it is not, and the jury are, therefore, to be congratulated upon the-ir action. The rider in question was as follows:—"That the Acting Coroner be asked to make strong representations to the Minister for Public Health, condemnatory of the use by the people of New Zealand of alleged flannelette for purposes of clothing and otherwise. The jury is of opinion that many lives are sacrificed through the use of this material, and that a prohibitive duty should be imposed thereon. The jury asks that this be done in the cause of humanity. They are aware that the material is dangerous to life and inimical to health, and should be bani?hed from use in every house hold." It should be borne in mind that-as the population of the country increases the use of flannelette if m t checked, will, also, be more general, and, as a consequence, deaths, will

become yet more numerous. Children of tender years are entitled to tbv;

very greatest measure of protection that their parents and friends can give to them, and it is in tfte using of flannelette for children's clothes that the greatest danger to life arises. Flannelette may he a dangerous material to use for adults' cloth ing, but the risk that they run is trifling in comparison with the danger to which children are frequently exposed by being compelled to wear it. Flannelette is a most inflammable materia', as anyone who has seen it catch alight can vividly I recall, and it is the duty of parents, who appreciate their responsibilities, to refrain from using it • for their children's clothes. No doubt when using flannelette parents often act ; thoughtlessly, but they should think - and the sad case at Carterton should preclude the possibility, on the part of those who are aware of it, from being thoughtless any longer. We do not suppose that, the Single agitation on the part of the jury will have much effect on the Minister for Health, but it should do good otherwise by attracting attention to a dangerous practice, Which is sometimes followed by most lamentable results.